As wonderful as it feels to visit exotic locations, traveling often helps you realize much of the world lives without the resources that you take for granted. If you want to give back to people in countries that have made an impression on you consider stocking up with your next trip with these travel accessories that benefit charities around the world. Here’s a few products that try to give back in the developing world.
Convertible Backpack To Benefit Orphans In Rwanda
Love41 helps the traveler stay fashionable and organized with the two-in-one backpack tote ($448). This handy backpack has several pockets, some of which are designed to keep your belongings safe when traveling. When the bag is in backpack mode there’s a hidden flap to hide the pockets and their contents from thieves and the weather. All profits go back to helping orphans, widows and street kids in Rwanda.
Solar Powered Light & Charger To Support Those Without Electricity
Harness the power of the sun for illumination and charging your devices with The WakaWaka Power+. ($79). This ultra efficient solar lamp and charger provides up to 150 hours of bright LED light per charge — not to mention it can fully charge smartphones, cameras and other gear via USB ports. Through the company’s “Buy One, Give One” program they donate one to the International Rescue Committee, who then distribute them to those living without access to light and power per sale, helping to make them self-sufficient.
Travel Wraps To Benefit Literacy Amongst Underprivileged Females
Looking to stay warm on long flights with a non-bulky, stylish sweater? The Red Twist cashmere sweater wrap ($185) is a one-size-fits-all way to keep warm wherever you go. It’s made from 100% pure cashmere, can be worn in many different ways and comes in 15 colors.
Wrap in blush. Photo courtesy of Red Twist.
Most importantly, a portion of the proceeds goes to send underprivileged girls worldwide to school through a donation to Room to Read, so when you snuggle up with a book in your wrap, you’ll know your purchase helped another female discover a similar joy.
Daypack To Benefit Orphans In Bolivia
Looking for a pack with enough capacity for a long day hike, either on a winter trail adventure or a desert exploration? Check out Cotopaxi’s Inca 26-L pack ($109) which is perfect for long day trips off the beaten path. Even better, each purchase contributes to the María Imaculada Orphanage near Tupiza, Bolivia. The Inca backpack is available in two colors (classic blue and dark shadow) and sizes (16L and 26L).
Inca day pack. Photo courtesy of Cotopaxi.
Camera Bag To Eradicate Blindness In Nepal
Do you ever wish your bag could grow or shrink to accommodate your gear? The Tekniq Camera Bag ($179, earlybird) is a modular bag that does just that. The Tekniq camera bag also offers additional features perfect for the adventurous traveler, including a lens cap clip, tripod holder, rain jacket and tablet pocket.
Capacity of Tekniq Camera Bag. Photo courtesy of Tekniq.
Tekniq Photo is also committed to giving back by bringing light to the eyes of people who have been living in blindness. Partnering up with the Himalayan Cataract Project, a portion of proceeds from every bag sold will help send ophthalmologists to Nepal. They will provide cataract surgery to locals who have been living in blindness due to a 100% curable disease. Reward levels on their Kickstarter range from $1-$640.
Beanies To Empower Women In Bolivia
Bolivian artisan women working on their beyondBeanie crafts.
Bundle up for your next trip in a cold country by buying beanies that support children’s orphanages and various other causes in Bolivia. beyondBeanies ($31+) began as an effort to empower Bolivian women to create an opportunity for them to be artists and agents for change against the system of begging and domestic violence. The women learned how to make clothing, work from home to create products based on their own designs and these are sold through the beyondBeanie company. With every purchase you provide five meals to children in need.
By Katie Foote.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
